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The 31st edition of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival opened last week in the city of Harbin in China. The event, which officially lasts for one month, is the largest of its kind in the world.
The sculptures are created from compacted snow or from blocks of ice which are hauled from across the nearby Songhua River.
Several of the sculpts are lit up as part of the celebrations.
The festival that started in 1963 was held sporadically until 1985 and has been a regular feature in the area since then.
Rediff.com takes a look at the the chilly festivities that attract tourists to the icy landscape that would seem right at home in an episode of Game of Thrones.
Image: People look around a large snow sculpture ahead of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: People visit ice sculptures illuminated by coloured lights on the opening day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: People look around ice sculptures ahead of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: People visit ice sculptures illuminated by coloured lights on the opening day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: People visit ice sculptures illuminated by coloured lights on the opening day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: A worker polishes an ice sculpture ahead of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: Fireworks light up the sky behind ice sculptures during the opening day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: A worker polishes an ice sculpture ahead of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: People walk around ice and snow sculptures during the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: People visit ice sculptures illuminated by coloured lights on the opening day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: People walk around ice and snow sculptures ahead of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters
Image: Workers polish a snow sculpture ahead of the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Photograph: Aly Song/ Reuters